A reggae singer, a failed assassination and the turmoil of modern Jamaica

An attempted murder on singer Bob Marley took place in Kingston, just prior to the general election and days before he was supposed to perform at the Smile Jamaica Concert to ease political tensions. The 1976 attack severely wounded Marley, his wife Rita and several others. Not much is known about the incident, but rumours about it ran rampant around the country. Marlon James’ novel “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” tells this story against the backdrop of the extreme violence and unrest that gripped Jamaica in the 1970’s. Through the voices of several characters, he dives deep into Kingston gangs, reggae music and CIA operatives over a span of three decades. On Monday we’ll speak to Man Booker Prize nominee Marlon James. Join the conversation at 19:30 GMT.

In this episode of The Stream we speak to:

Marlon James @MarlonJames5
Author, "A Brief History of Seven Killings"

A reggae singer, a failed assassination and the turmoil of modern Jamaica

Man Booker Prize nominee Marlon James speaks to The Stream about his novel "A Brief History of Seven Killings"

When Jamaican author Marlon James was writing his novel, "A Brief History of Seven Killings", he said he wanted the book to feel just like life. “I had one rule when I was writing. Every day, at least once a day, I should say, ‘I didn’t see that coming.'”

Just finished Marlon James' "A Brief History of Seven Killings" and I already miss those characters and places. So perfectly etched.Keri Kellerman

The fiction novel spans three decades. James uses the failed assassination attempt of reggae legend Bob Marley in 1976 to tell a larger story of rival gangs in Jamaica, partisan politics enmeshed in the Cold War Era, the tales of CIA operatives, and the violent Jamaican drug trade transplanted to a new generation in the Bronx, New York City.

A range of conspiracy theories followed Bob Marley's assassination attempt. In a time of turmoil for Jamaica's rival political groups, some say only Marley, a Rastafarian, was calling for peace. Just days before his "Smile Jamaica" concert, three intruders allegedly shot the singer, his wife Rita Marley, and several others in their home.

Jamaica 1976MarianneKeating

During the Smile Jamaica concert in Kingston, Jamaica on December 5, 1976, Marley sang the song below titled, "Rat Race." At 1:01 he sings, "Political violence fill ya city, ye-ah! Don't involve Rasta in your say say. Rasta don't work for no C.I.A."

The novel refers to the rivalry between Jamaica's two main political groups, the socialist-democratic People's National Party (PNP) at the time led by prime minister Michael Manley and allegedly influenced by Cuba and Russia, and the conservative Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), rumoured to be aided by the CIA. Some allege that the CIA funneled guns into the country to destabilise Manley's government. Characters in James' novel illustrate the battleground where partisan terrorist groups used gun violence to settle turf and elections.

Today, both of the parties continue to vie for power. Some Jamaicans are tweeting about a need for change.

PNP gotta go. JLP gotta go.
New political movement needed.Senhor

Y'all should try Emancipate yourselves from PNP and JLP.. They are the ones holding this country downDondrè

But Jamaica does not have a fixed election date and relies on funding from the International Monetary Fund, as well as other international funding agencies. One user from Jamaica says the problem stems from more than just rival political parties.

Cold war related disruption and imf strategies have more to do with the destruction of your future than merely PNP and JLP.Innovo Biggs

Politics and gangs are intertwined in the island's ghettos or garrison communities, often ruled by armed leaders with political ties as seen with James' characters "Josey Wales" and "Papa Lo". Today these dons may provide social benefits to the community. Below, druglord Christopher "Dudus" Coke was seen as a community hero in Kingston who helped deliver elections. He received a 23 year sentence after being extradited to the US on charges of weapons and drug trafficking. At least 73 people died while security forces got Coke out of Jamaica and into US custody.

Praising a Jamaican 'drug lord'Al Jazeera English

"A Brief History of Seven Killings" offers a backdrop for a time in Jamaica's history where physical and sexual violence, drug wars, partisan politics, Cold War influence, and the love of reggae music were woven into the island's society. The book was among 15 finalists for the prestigious Man Booker Prize. The winner will be announced in October.

Congrats to @FranklinParkBK Reading alum @MarlonJames5 on @ManBookerPrize nom for A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS! http://t.co/41FGZje3DkPenina Roth

This marks the second year that authors of any nationality have been eligible for the Man Booker Prize, which comes with a payment of about $78,000. Before last year, only authors from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth of Nations were considered.

It's pretty amazing that a Jamaican author is the 2015 American Book Award winner. Big up Marlon James! And very well-deservedsash.

The Stream asked its community what implications there are for choosing Bob Marley as the central point for the novel and how his character as the unnamed "Singer" functioned in the book.

@Nuri_ibrahim @AJStream Why Marley as the focus of this imaginative chronicle? What's gained in probing beneath the mythos of this icon?Kinohi Nishikawa

@Nuri_ibrahim @AJStream Was Marley always a silent and un-named figure in Brief History, or did that come during the writing process?Alex Bean

@Nuri_ibrahim @AJStream thank u for this opportunity. There is a sense in the book that Bob Marley wasn't seen as truly a son of the ghetto.Dominic OwenWilliams

The Stream also asked what questions they have for the Jamaican author.

.@Nuri_ibrahim @AJStream sure! I took a class with him once. Q: Is it hard to write on JA being so far away from the language and culture?Shanza Lewis

@Nuri_ibrahim Question: After writing "A Tale of Seven Killings", what conclusions can be drawn about JA's current political climate?Queen Nanny

@AJStream @MarlonJames5 As colonized people, how do we use our imagination to rewrite our histories, aside from the colonial texts?Kiprop Kimutai